HOW TO CLEAN A MARBLE SHOWER

Marble can elevate any bathroom with its natural veining and timeless look, and because no two pieces are the same, it brings a built-in sense of uniqueness to the space. Whether it's marble countertops, floors, or stone shower tile, regular cleaning is essential to keep it looking its best.

Marble often begins its formation as limestone, which means it can etch when exposed to hard water deposits in showers and other wet areas. Because of this, it's important to wipe your marble shower down after each use to remove soap scum and mineral buildup. As a general rule, plan to clean marble shower grout, floor tiles, and walls a couple of times a week if the shower gets more than one or two uses a day. Once a week is usually enough for lighter use.

Never use acidic limescale removers, lemon, vinegar, citrus-based soaps, bleach, or ammonia products on marble. Since marble is a soft, porous natural stone, acidic cleaners can etch and break down the sealant that protects it, while bleach and ammonia will dull its glossy finish over time.

Sealing your marble with a penetrating sealer is one of the best ways to extend its life in a bath or shower. No sealant makes marble completely stain-proof or waterproof, but it does add a layer of resistance that makes upkeep easier.

A pH-neutral cleaner like Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is ideal for marble shower floors, walls, and other delicate bathroom surfaces as it lifts tough stains and watermarks without putting the stone at risk.

Directions for Cleaning a Marble Shower:

1. Mix Simple Green solution. Mix 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner with 10 ounces of water in an empty spray bottle. For light-colored marble, you can also mix 1 cup of Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Cleaner with 1 cup of water.
2. Spray. Generously coat sections of the shower floor and walls with your solution.
3. Scrub. Use a soft scrub brush on any areas covered in soap scum or hard water stains.
4. Rinse with clean water. If your shower head is detachable, use it to rinse the walls and floor. Otherwise, fill a bucket with water to rinse.
5. Squeegee. Run a squeegee over the walls and floor to remove excess water and help prevent new water spots from forming.
6. Dry. Once all sections are cleaned, wipe down until totally dry.
7. Polish. Finish with a baking soda paste to restore shine:
   • Combine about 45 grams of baking soda with 1 liter of water and mix well in a medium bowl.
   • Apply the mixture to the surface with a clean cloth.
   • Let the paste dry for about 5 hours, then rinse with a microfiber cloth and warm water.
   • Dry buff with a clean microfiber or chamois cloth.